Breath of Life [Open]

The cold wind embraced Zeno as clear skies allowed him to appreciate the beautiful mountain ranges and forests in between. He took in a deep breath as a soft breeze gently touched his skin and made his cape dance. The fresh scent of humidity in the environment after a storm was rejuvinating. These were mornings he cherished. Zeno usually woke up when the animals and everyone else in the vicinity were still sleeping. He would have about an hour of peace to himself that could spend as he pleased without being disturbed by anything. He usually just enjoyed the silence as he meditated, watched the sun rise higher and the forests awaken during a morning jogg, or spent it productively finishing up remaining paperwork so he could focus on other things for the rest of the day.

From his balcony he could see a lone figure approach the guild.

Who could that be?

The silhouette had seemed familiar, but Zeno couldn't put a name on it.
Calmy but with speed he descended his private stairway, locked the metal safety door behind him as he quickly went down the remaining stairs between the "VIP lounge" and the bar. Six steps later he stepped through the open doorway between the bar and the hallway to see a dark-skinned young man with a familiar look in his eyes.

''Help'' is what they were screaming. The man was covered in scars and had clearly seen his fair amount of battle and violence. Zeno looked deeper into his eyes, into the soul. It seemed lost and wandering. There was a faint dark energy surrounding him that put Zeno on guard. When such an individual came knocking at the door, it was always the question whether they were looking for help or posed a threat. Many times it was both. Zeno had enough experience to know what kind of person was standing before him, but he never took chances. Anyone can be deceived after all.

"Hello, I am Zeno Sombras, weclome to Eclipse Soul. Can I help you?" He asked with a calm and friendly voice as he stood only a pace or two away from the guest like a solid mountain. If his guest truely was a threat, there would be nothing he could do to get through Zeno to get to his guildmembers. If not, then he had the opportunity to be welcomed into a new home.

Kyll blinked as she heard the "Hello." She immediately opened her glowing green eyes and pushed her glasses back. Kyll tied her priestess robes to her body and walked down the stairs making a bee line to the kitchen. Finally Kyll walked out of the kitchen area with a tea tray in hand. In the center of the tray was a tea kettle. The steam was floating out of the spout like a chimney. To the left of the kettle were two cups. One seemed to look like it was just a tea cup grabbed out of the cupboard and the other was Kyll's specially made lotus cup. To the right of the kettle sat a plate of short bread cookies that were in the shape of the Eclipse Soul tattoo. She sat the tray down on an end table near by. "Master Zeno, I made white rose tea...." She stopped and looked over at the rather dark and grim look on this man who had just appeared. She began to think back on that day. She made some of the same looks. "I will get another cup..." Kyll walked back into the kitchen and grabbed another cup. She walked back out this time revealing her face. Her voice matched her smile. The same happy look that seemed to mask over everything. Kyll wanted to keep an approachable appearance even with new members or prospective members. "My name is Kyll Vie," she said placing the cup down on the tray. She then poured tea in each cup gracefully. "I'm surprised to see a new face right now." Her eyes stayed in a fox mask manner. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and bowed to Grizwaldo. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I usually stay in the kitchen most of the time around here. So if there is anything you wish to eat, I will be more than happy to make it for you." As she bowed, her long black pigtails followed suit revealing the Eclipse Soul tattoo on the back of her neck.

She stood back up and kept the same smiling face. This look seemed to pierce a heat of happiness into everyone. Her face seemed to glitter like a diamond, but the wisest of mage who have been and are around her know that this glittery smile will only shatter into many pieces like sugar melted into glass in mere minutes if the right buttons were pressed. Kyll picked up her lotus flower cup and held it with both hands. "I found this tea on a special mission. So please help yourself." She held the cup up to her face smelled it. The fragrance of roses and white tea leaves slid easily into her nostrils. The scent wasn't over powering, but it was very beautiful. She then put the cup gracefully to her lips and took a small sip. The taste was bitter with a sweet nectar flavor upon drinking it. The moisture from the steam seemed warm every part of her. She wanted the same reactions from Grizwaldo and Zeno as well.

Grizwaldo had hardly even finished his sentence before Kyll enchanted the room with her welcoming presence. Wherever she went, a certain aroma followed her. This time, it was the scent of delicious and special tea. Eclipse Soul's chef was one of the reasons Zeno loved waking up in the morning. As Kyll made her performance, Zeno loosened up a little.

Things had been rather stressful and tense the past few months. Dark Guilds and ancient evil ghouls had been the only shadows in his dreams. Fiore had managed to halt its demise when Zeno, Shuhei and Heero defeated the Lichborne. But the battle with that fiend had left the guildmaster restless still. Even after all this time. Paranoia, insomnia, cold sweats, all very irregular symptoms for the experienced mage. He would regain control of himself eventually, it would just take some time and relaxation.

"Thank you, Kyll.", the arcane wizard sighed as he poured out some tea and nodded at Grizwaldo, gesturing the man should do the same.

He closed his eyes and with a calm sip, Zeno let the warm flavors wash down all the troubles on his mind.

Simply magical..., he thought.

The man took a deep breath, then made eyecontact with the lost soul once again. The hostility had faded from the room.

"Of course. I will show you to your room when you're ready. You seem like you could use some rest. Sit down and have some tea first though, I will go and make a few arrangements. If you're hungry, I'm confident Kyll can provide whatever you need. Afterwards there will be a warm bath and a fresh bed waiting for you. There is plenty of time for us to get acquainted later.", Zeno said kindly as he turned around and went up to the second floor to prepare Grizwaldo's room.

Sometimes, I feel like an innkeeper.

WIP